Seeff presents a helpful overview of key certificates of compliance, what they're for, and why you need them to sell
ECC's, GCC's, BBCC's, PCI's, all those abbreviations are enough to make anyone confused, but they're pretty important if you're about to sell your home. Seeff provides a helpful overview:
Certificates of Compliance, or C.O.C.’s refer to the electrical, plumbing, gas and electric fence certificates prescribed by law which carry penalties for non-compliance. Often, home owners are caught unaware of the certificates of compliance that are required when selling a property and are then shocked by the associated costs they did not budget for.
The Electrical Certificate of Compliance covers important aspects of the property’s’ electrical layout. It’s important to note that this certificate doesn’t cover fixed appliances like geysers and stoves, however, the wiring to the fixed appliance is covered. An electrical certificate may not be older than 2 years, and if any work has been done after the certificate was issued, a new certificate will be required.
Plumbing certificates are issued by licensed plumbers to certify that all plumbing work complies with regulatory installation requirements. It is important to know that it is illegal for any unqualified persons to work on plumbing installations or for persons not work under the supervision of a qualified plumber.
A Gas Certificate must be issued when there is a change of property ownership. This certificate ensures, among many aspects, that there are no gas leaks and that the emergency shut off valves have been installed correctly. This inspection also ensures that gas appliances are in safe working order. An important part of this certificate is to ensure the property complies with the restrictions relating to the volume of gas that may be stored on a property.
An Electric Fence Certificate is required by law when selling a property and when there is a change of ownership of the premises on which an electric fence exists. Only an accredited electric fence installer may issue this certificate.
While the Beetle Certificate is not currently required by South African law, some banks do request it as part of their application procedures. Over the years it has been become customary to provide it in standard Offers to Purchase, especially for properties situated in coastal regions.
Defects and Condition Disclosure, this is regulated by the EAAB (Estate Agency Affairs Board) in terms of the Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008 and is a disclosure by the seller of any defects or other conditions that the buyer needs to be aware of.
Invasive Alien Plant Species is another recent addition to the list of compliances needed. It was promulgated on 1 October 2015 as part of the Biodiversity Act. Part of the regulations means that land owner that sells a property with any of the listed alien plants on it, then this needs to be disclosed prior to concluding the agreement of sale and the new owner need to obtain a permit.
We recommend that all sellers do a thorough inspection using a reputable, experienced company during the listing stage, so that they are aware of any repairs needed and the cost implications of them. Also, be sure to liaise with your agent upfront to check what clearances will be required.
Home is our Story, so be sure to speak to your local area agent for more insight on what you may need to effectively sell your home.